Open registry for identity of things

ABSTRACT

An identity system for the Internet of Things (IOT) that enables users and machines to identify, authenticate and interact with products and collectibles without relying on a third-party-controlled authentication service. The system includes wireless tamperproof tags coupled to products and an open registry database where a chain of ownership of the items is able to be stored. The open registry enables public access to the item identity and data combined with item registration anonymity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/230,344 filed Jun. 4, 2015,and titled “SMART APPAREL LABEL CONTAINING A MICROCHIP SO THAT ACONSUMER CAN VERIFY AUTHENTICITY OF AN APPAREL ITEM FROM A MOBILEDEVICE,” the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/231,586filed Jul. 10, 2015, and titled “PKI-ENABLED TAG,” the U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/285,085 filed Oct. 19, 2015, and titled“TIMELINE FOR CONSUMER/LUXURY PRODUCTS THAT TRACKS OWNERSHIP,PROVENANCE, AND KEY DATA POINTS/EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE PRODUCT,” theU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/285,748 filed Nov. 9,2015, and titled “ONE-PIECE EXTERNAL PLASTIC TAG CONTAINING ENCRYPTEDMICROCHIP FOR COLLECTIBLE AND LUXURY CONSUMER GOODS AUTHENTICITYVERIFICATION AND CONSUMER-BRAND ENGAGEMENT,” and the U.S. provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/342,850 filed May 27, 2016, and titled“USING PROOF OF PROXIMITY TO SERVE-UP PRIVATE DATA ABOUT PHYSICALOBJECTS IN THE CONSUMER INTERNET WOF THINGS, AND TO SUPPORT AN VARITYPROVABLE LOGISTICS, SOCIAL, COMMERCE, AND SECONDARY,” all of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of the unique identity ofthings, including products, collectables and identity/internet of thingsdevices. More particularly, the present invention relates toidentification, authentication and provenance tracking using identifyingtags and an open registry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical assets are poorly represented on the Internet, public databasesor marketplaces. Current identification methods are often notmachine-readable. Also, existing tags are not secure as they are able toeasily be forged and/or re-applied to a different non-authentic asset.In particular, technologies that help prevent the duplication of tagsare weak and rely on obfuscation methods (which can be hacked) orrequire the use of private databases (e.g. privately controlled) whichrely on trusting a third party (e.g. the controlling party) toaccurately maintain the database. Such methods do not prevent the thirdparty from creating duplicate tags or database records, nor are theyable to exist if/when the third party dissolves or goes out of business.Finally, such a third party controlled system lacks the ability forusers to seamlessly migrate their identity and/or proof of ownership toother systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An identity verification and authentication system that enables usersand machines to assign and authenticate the identity of things withoutrelying on a third-party-controlled identity verification orauthentication service. Things are any physical object, includingproducts, collectables and identity of things devices. The systemincludes wireless tamperproof tags coupled to things and an openregistry database where a chain of ownership of the things is able to bestored. The open registry enables public access to the identificationdata with optional item registration anonymity. In some embodiments, theopen registry is a database, a blockchain or a smart contract.

A first aspect is directed to an item open registry and authenticationsystem. The system comprises one or more physical items each having anidentity tag coupled to the item, the identity tags each storing aprivate key and a unique identifier and configured to enable the uniqueidentifier to be wirelessly read but prevent the private key from beingread from the tag, a mobile device configured to wirelessly read theunique identifier from one or more of the identity tags when proximateto the one or more of the tags and a open registry storing the uniqueidentifier, item information and a public key of each of the items,wherein the public key is associated with the private key stored on theidentity tag coupled to the item. In some embodiments, the open registrystores item information including a chain of ownership that defines asequence of owners of the item and a sequence of transactions betweenpairs of the owners that conferred the ownership of the item between thepairs. In some embodiments, the open registry enables each of aplurality of entities to upload one or more of the public keys and theunique identifiers to the registry without uploading identifying datasuch that the open registry does not present data indicating which ofthe entities uploaded the public keys or the unique identifiers. In someembodiments, the open registry enables each of the entities to uploadand associate a network accessible location with at least one of the oneor more of the public keys and the unique identifiers uploaded by theentity to the registry. In some embodiments, the mobile device includesan identity verification function that, upon reading the uniqueidentifier of the identity tag of one of the items, causes the mobiledevice to generate and transmit a challenge message to the identity tag,transmit the unique identifier to the registry and access the public keyassociated with the unique identifier from the registry, receive adigital signature from the identity tag and authenticating the item bydetermining if the digital signature was generated by the private keystored in the identity tag using the accessed public key. In someembodiments, if the item is authenticated, the mobile device isconfigured to automatically access and present the network accessiblelocation to a user on the mobile device. In some embodiments, thenetwork accessible location is a website related to the item includinginformation about the item. In some embodiments, upon receiving thechallenge message the identity tag is configured to digitally sign thechallenge message thereby generating the digital signature based on theprivate key stored in the identity tag and transmit the digitalsignature to the mobile device. In some embodiments, upon receiving theunique identifier the registry is configured to lookup which one of thepublic keys stored on the registry is associated with the uniqueidentifier and transmit the one of the public keys to the mobile device.In some embodiments, the open registry is a blockchain, a database or asmart contract. In some embodiments, the tag is made of a tamperprooffastener that is physically coupled with a wireless signalreceiving/transmitting circuit enveloped by a single contiguous plasticshell. In some embodiments, the tag is made of a wireless signalreceiving/transmitting circuit stitched within a label of the item. Insome embodiments, the tag is integrated in an identity of things (IoT)device in the form of a circuitry board, microchip, firmware orsoftware.

A second aspect is directed to a method of item authentication using anitem open registry and authentication system. The method compriseswirelessly discovering a unique identifier stored on an identity tagcoupled to a physical item with a mobile device, wherein the identitytag stores a private key and is configured to enable the uniqueidentifier to be wirelessly read but prevent the private key from beingread, and further wherein the mobile device is configured toautomatically wirelessly read the unique identifier from the identitytag when proximate to the tag, transmitting the unique identifier fromthe mobile device to an open registry, the registry storing the uniqueidentifier, item information and a public key of the item, wherein thepublic key is associated with the private key stored on the identity tagcoupled to the item, receiving the public key associated with the uniqueidentifier from the registry and receiving a digital signature from theidentity tag with the mobile device and authenticating the item with themobile device by determining if the digital signature was generated bythe private key stored in the identity tag using the received publickey. In some embodiments, the open registry stores item informationincluding a chain of ownership that defines a sequence of owners of theitem and a sequence of transactions between pairs of the owners thatconferred the ownership of the item between the pairs. In someembodiments, the tag wirelessly broadcasts the unique identifier withoutprompting from the mobile device. In some embodiments, the mobile deviceretrieves the unique identifier from the tag. In some embodiments, themethod further comprises, upon receiving the challenge message, theidentity tag digitally signs the challenge message thereby generatingthe digital signature based on the private key stored in the identitytag and transmits the digital signature to the mobile device. In someembodiments, the method further comprises, upon receiving the uniqueidentifier, the registry looks up which one of the public keys stored onthe registry is associated with the unique identifier and transmits theone of the public keys to the mobile device. In some embodiments, thetag is made of a tamperproof fastener that is physically coupled with awireless signal receiving/transmitting circuit enveloped by a singlecontiguous plastic shell. In some embodiments, the tag is made of awireless signal receiving/transmitting circuit stitched within a labelof the item. In some embodiments, the tag is integrated in an identityof things (IoT) device in the form of a circuitry board, microchip,firmware or software.

A third aspect is directed to a method of registering items on an openregistry of item open registry and authentication system includingidentity tags coupled to one or more physical items in a tamperproofmanner, the identity tags each storing a private key and a uniqueidentifier and configured to enable the unique identifier to bewirelessly read but prevent the private key from being read from thetag. The method comprises storing the unique identifier and a public keyof each of the items as a pair with the open registry, wherein thepublic key of each of the items is associated with the private keystored on the identity tag coupled to the item, uploading andassociating each of one or more network accessible locations with atleast one of the pairs of the public keys and the unique identifierswith the registry, providing access to the public keys and the uniqueidentifiers and providing a private uploading option with the registrywhich when selected displays the public keys and the unique identifierswithout presenting associated data identifying a source of at least oneof the unique identifiers and the public keys. In some embodiments, thesource is associated with the items coupled to the tags storing theunique identifiers. In some embodiments, the method further comprises,for each of the network accessible locations, importing with the networkaccessible location the public key of the pair associated with thelocation to the network accessible location. In some embodiments, thenetwork accessible location is a cloud server that can deliverinformation about the item or execute programs related to the item. Insome embodiments, the method further comprises the registry maintaininga list of the sources and preventing sources not on the list fromuploading to the registry. In some embodiments, the tag is made of atamperproof fastener that is physically coupled with a wireless signalreceiving/transmitting circuit enveloped by a single contiguous plasticshell. In some embodiments, the tag is made of a wireless signalreceiving/transmitting circuit stitched within a label of the item. Insome embodiments, the tag is integrated in an identity of things (IoT)device in the form of a circuitry board, microchip, firmware orsoftware.

A fourth aspect is directed to a mobile device for use in an item openregistry and authentication system. The mobile device comprises awireless signal transceiver for communicating data wirelessly betweenthe mobile device and one or more identity tags each coupled to one ofone or more physical items, the identity tags each storing a private keyand a unique identifier and configured to enable the unique identifierto be wirelessly read but prevent the private key from being read fromthe tag, a network interface for communicating with an open registrystoring the unique identifier, item information and a public key of eachof the items, wherein the public key is associated with the private keystored on the identity tag coupled to the item and a non-transitorycomputer readable medium storing an item agent that controls thecommunication between the mobile device and the tags and the registry,automatically wirelessly searches for the tags and prompts a user on themobile device when one of the tags is discovered. In some embodiments,in response to a successful authentication of one of the items by anauthentication feature of the item agent, the item agent automaticallyaccesses and displays a network accessible location on a display of themobile device. In some embodiments, the network accessible location is awebsite related to the item including information about the item. Insome embodiments, the authentication feature comprises, upon reading theunique identifier of the identity tag of one of the items transmitting achallenge message to the identity tag, transmitting the uniqueidentifier of the read tag to the registry, accessing the public keyassociated with the unique identifier on the registry, receiving adigital signature from the identity tag and authenticating the item bydetermining if the digital signature was generated by the private keystored in the identity tag using the accessed public key. In someembodiments, upon receiving the challenge message the identity tag isconfigured to generate the digital signature based on the private keystored in the identity tag and transmit the digital signature to themobile device. In some embodiments, upon receiving the unique identifierthe registry is configured to lookup which of the public keys stored onthe registry is associated with the unique identifier and transmit theassociated public key to the mobile device.

A fifth aspect is directed to a method of performing a proof ofproximity authentication on an item open registry and authenticationsystem. The method comprises wirelessly discovering an identity tag andreading a unique identifier stored on the identity tag with a mobiledevice, wherein the identity tag is coupled to a physical item, storinga private key and configured to enable the unique identifier to bewirelessly read but prevent the private key from being read from thetag, and further wherein the mobile device is configured toautomatically wirelessly read the unique identifier from the identitytag when proximate to the tag, transmitting the unique identifier fromthe mobile device to an open registry, the registry storing the uniqueidentifier, a network accessible location and a public key of the tagcoupled to the item all of which are associated with each other on theregistry, wherein the public key is associated with the private keystored on the identity tag coupled to the item, determining andattempting to access the network accessible location associated with theunique identifier read from the tag from the registry with the mobiledevice, generating and transmitting a proximity challenge with a serverat the network accessible location to the mobile device, forwarding theproximity challenge from the mobile device to the identity tag coupledto the physical item, generating and transmitting to the mobile device adigital signature of the proximity challenge with the identity tag usingthe private key, forwarding the digital signature from the mobile deviceto the network accessible location, verifying the validity of thedigital signature by determining if the digital signature was generatedby the private key stored in the identity tag using the public key andgranting and providing the mobile device access to the networkaccessible location with the server if the verification is successful.In some embodiments, the method further comprises the network accessiblelocation determining and accessing the public key associated with theprivate key stored on the tag based on the unique identifier and thepairs of the public keys and the unique identifiers stored on theregistry. In some embodiments, the network accessible location is acloud server providing cloud services related to the item includinginformation about the item or programs related to the item. In someembodiments, the providing access to the network accessible locationcomprises automatically accessing and displaying the network accessiblelocation on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the cloud server isprovided by an entity that uploaded the unique identifier and the publickey to the open registry. In some embodiments, the cloud service is asmart contract running on a blockchain database. In some embodiments,the cloud server is provided by a third party appointed by an entitythat uploaded the unique identifier and the public key to the openregistry. In some embodiments, the tag is integrated in an identity ofthings (IoT) device in the form of a circuitry board, microchip,firmware or software.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an item open registry authentication system accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates a tag according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an item authentication method using the systemaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of presenting item information according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of registering items on the open databaseaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a proof of proximity method according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing deviceconfigured to implement the system according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein are directed to an identity verificationand authentication system that enables users, devices and machines toverify the identity of things and authenticate them without relying on athird-party-controlled authentication service. The system enables usersto authenticate collectable products. The system includes wirelesstamperproof tags coupled to things and an open registry database where achain of ownership of the things is able to be stored. As a result, byeasily scanning a tag with a device having an authenticationapplication, a user is able to use the system to immediately determinewhether the thing coupled to the tag is authentic as well as be providedwith a history of ownership and description of the thing to ensure anentity has the right to sell the thing. Thus, the system provides theadvantage of thing and purchase certainty in a field of commonforgeries. Further, the open registry enables public access to theauthentication data combined with a registration protocol that istechnology agnostic and having selectable item registration anonymitysuch that the users do not have to rely on a third party for theauthentication while the merchandisers or registrants can register theirproducts without making public on the database to competitors productline roll-out/release quantities. Finally, registration protocol of theopen registry is able to enable submission of item data including anetwork accessible location (link and/or address) that the system canuse to access to a cloud service that can serve digital content relatedto the thing/product or execute programs related to the thing/product.

FIG. 1 illustrates an item open registry authentication system 100according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100comprises one or more items 102 each having an identity (and/orauthentication) tag 103, one or more computing devices 104 each having areceiver/transmitter 105, an open registry 106 and one or more servers108, wherein the servers 108, the registry 106 and/or the devices 104are communicatively coupled via one or more networks 110. Although asshown in FIG. 1, a single server 108 is coupled with two client devices104, it is understood that any number of servers 108 are able to becoupled with any number of devices 104. The networks 110 are able to beone or a combination of wired or wireless networks as are well known inthe art. The one or more servers 108 are able to store at least aportion of an item authentication agent and/or application 107 includinga graphic user interface on a memory of one or more of the servers 108.As a result, a user is able to download the application 107 from theservers 108 over the network 110 onto one or more of the devices 104.After being downloaded to the client device 104, the application 107 isable to create and use an application database within the local memoryon the device 104 to store and utilize data necessary for operation.

Alternatively, some or all of the data is able to be stored in a serverdatabase on the memory on the servers 108 such that the application 107is able to connect to the servers 108 over the networks 110 in order toutilize the data on the server database. For example, the locallyexecuting application 107 on the devices 104 is able to remotelycommunicate with the servers 108 over the network 110 to perform anyfeatures of the application 107 and/or access any data on the serverdatabase not available with just the data on the device 104. In someembodiments, the same data is stored on both the server database and oneor more of the devices 104 such that either local or remote data accessis possible. In such embodiments, the data on the servers 108 and/ordevices 104 is able to be synchronized by the application. In someembodiments, the server database and/or application 107 is distributedacross a plurality of the servers 108. Alternatively or in addition, oneor more of the servers 108 are able to store all of the database and/orapplication data. In such embodiments, the servers 108 are able toperform a synchronization process such that all the databases and/orother application data are synchronized.

Alternatively, the application 107 is able to be replaced orsupplemented with an item agent and/or website stored on the servermemory and executed by the servers 108, wherein the agent and/or websiteprovides some or all of the functionality of the application 107 with awebsite user interface that is substantially similar to the applicationuser interface. In such embodiments, a device 104 is able to access theagent and/or website and utilize the features of the agent and/orwebsite with a web browser that communicates with the servers 108 overthe networks 110. In some embodiments, the functionality of the websiteis able to be limited to facilitating the downloading of the application107 onto one or more devices 104. In other words, the application/agent107 is able to operate on just the servers 108, just the devices 104 ora combination of the servers 108 and devices 104. Accordingly, it shouldbe noted that although described according to an exemplary functionaldistribution herein, other distributions of the functions of theapplication/agent 107 between the servers 108 (via the agent/website)and the devices 104 (via the application) are contemplated but notincluded for the sake of brevity. Alternatively, the device 104 is ableto be an autonomous machine such as a drone or an identity/internet ofthings (IOT) device. In such embodiments, the application 107 is able tobe already installed in the device 104 or is able to be part of thesoftware or firmware operating the device 104 itself.

Further, the servers 108 are able to store item information describingone or more of the items 102 (e.g. text, audio, photos and/or videodescribing brand/product) and associated with the public key and/orunique identifier stored on the tags 103 coupled to the items 102. As aresult, when one of the devices 104 scan/read one or more of the tags103 on one or more of the items 102, the application on the device 104is able to communicate the public key and/or the unique identifier ofthe scanned tags 103 to the server(s) 108, which then are able toprovide the item information associated with the key/identifier to thedevice 104 for display to the user. In some embodiments, the iteminformation is able to comprise one or more links to or addresses ofnetwork accessible locations (e.g. uniform resource identifiers),wherein the locations include information about the items. In suchembodiments, when one of the devices 104 scan/read one or more of thetags 103 on one or more of the items 102, the application on the device104 is able to communicate the public key and/or the unique identifierof the scanned tags 103 to the server(s) 108, which then are able toprovide the links/addresses enabling the application 107 on the deviceto access the locations (and the server(s) operating the locations) onthe device 104 (e.g. via a web browser). In some embodiments, the iteminformation and associated public keys/unique identifiers are uploadedto the servers 108 during a registration process.

The computing devices 104 are able to be any computing device having amemory for storing at least a portion of the application 107 and awireless tag reading feature 105 capable of wirelessly reading and/orcommunicating with the tags 103. In some embodiments, the devices 104comprise a display (e.g. a touchscreen). Examples of suitable computingdevices 104 capable of including the reading feature 105 and/or storingthe application 107 include smart jewelry (e.g., smartwatch), a personalcomputer, a laptop computer, a computer workstation, a server, amainframe computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, acellular/mobile telephone, an IOT device, a smart appliance, a gameconsole, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a camera phone, a smartphone, a portable music player, a tablet computer, a mobile device, avideo player, a video disc writer/player (e.g., DVD writer/player, highdefinition disc writer/player, ultra high definition discwriter/player), a television, a home entertainment system or any othersuitable computing device.

The items 102 are able to be collectibles, IOT devices, apparel, shoes,hand bags, garments or other commonly forged or collectable physicalitems. For example, the items are able to be a brand name purse or pairof shoes where because of the existence of numerous knockoffs, it can bedifficult to prove that the items are authentic for the purpose oftransfers/sales from a current owner to a prospective buyer. In someembodiments, the items 102 are also able to be automobiles, vehicles,boats, collectibles and the like.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate the tags 103 according to some embodiments. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the tag 103 is able to be an external tag thatcomprises a tamperproof body 202, a tamperproof fastening mechanism 204(e.g. a ring), with the body 202 housing an authentication circuit 206.The body 202 and/or fastening mechanism 204 are able to be formed by asingle contiguous piece of plastic such that the circuit 206 is entirelysealed within the body 202 and/or fastening mechanism 204. As a result,the circuit 206 cannot be physically removed or tampered withoutbreaking the body 202 and/or fastening mechanism 204. Additionally, thebody 202 and/or fastening mechanism 204 are able to be coupled with thecircuit 206 such that decoupling of the tag 103 from the item 102damages the circuit 206 such that the circuit 206 is unable to be readand/or transmit any stored data, or the circuit 206 transmits warningdata indicating that tampering occurred. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tag103 is also able to be an internal tag that is substantially similar tothe external tag of FIG. 2A except that instead of the fasteningmechanism 204 the internal tag is able to be stitched into a label orother material of the item 102. Specifically, the body 202 is able to beentirely enveloped by two pieces/layers of fabric or other material ofthe item 102 stitched or otherwise coupled together around the body 202(e.g. like a sealed pouch). In some embodiments, at least one of thelayers is able to be a label of the item 102 and include writingdescribing the item 102 (e.g the brand name). In some embodiments, thebody 202 and the circuit 206 within the body 202 of the internal tag isable to be flexible such that the item 102 is able to flex withoutdamaging the tag 103. As shown in FIG. 2C, the tag 103 is able to be anelectronic device 210 wherein the circuit 206 is integrated into thecircuitry of the electronic device 210. For example, the electronicdevice 210 is able to be a printed circuit board or other electronicswith wireless communication capabilities (e.g. an IOT device). As aresult, all embodiments of the tags 103 provide the benefit of ensuringthat the identification and authentication data stored on the tags 103are securely coupled to the proper item 102 forauthentication/identification purposes or that tampering with the tags103 and/or item 102 is easily determined.

The circuit 206 is able to communicate wirelessly via near fieldcommunication, bluetooth low energy, radio frequency identification,bluetooth, WiFi or other types of wireless communication known in theart. Further, the circuit 206 is able to be public key infrastructureenabled. Specifically, the circuit 206 is able to store a uniqueidentifier and a private key and wirelessly communicate with the readers105 of the devices 104. The private key is secret and cannot be read orextracted from the tag 103 (e.g. cannot be read by the reader 105). Incontrast, the unique identifier is able to be read by a reader 105and/or otherwise transmitted from the tag 103 to one or more of thedevices 104 when requested by the devices 104. The private key is anencryption key that is associated with a corresponding public key. Inother words, the public key and private keys are related such that dataencrypted with the public key are only able to be decrypted using theprivate key and digital signatures generated by the private key are onlyable to be validated using the public key. As a result, as described indetail below, the private key of each of the tags 103 is able to be usedto authenticate the item 102 to which the tag 103 is coupled.Specifically, the circuit 206 is able to digitally sign a challengemessage received from a device 104 (via the reader 105) using theprivate key and transmit the digital signature back to the device 104for authentication of the item 102. Alternatively, the circuit 206 isable to perform other authentication processes on the challenge messageusing the private key in response to a challenge message from a device104.

The unique identifier is able to be the public key (associated with theprivate key stored on the tag 103), a hash of the public key, auniversally unique identifier (UUID) or other unique identifier.Additionally, in some embodiments, the circuit 206 is able to store datarelated to the item 102 to which the tag 103 is attached (e.g. text,photos, video and/or audio describing the item 102 and/or registrant).In such embodiments, when scanned by the reader 105, the circuit 206 isable to send the item-related data to the application on the device 104which then automatically presents the data to the user of the device104.

The open registry 106 stores registry data and is able to be a database,a blockchain, or a smart contract whose records are open to the public(e.g. access to view records is not permission based, butownership/transfer protocol requirements for making changes todatabase). For example, the registry 106 is able to be a distributeddatabase (e.g. across a plurality of computing devices that each storecopies of transactions in one or more linked blocks) that maintains acontinuously-growing list of data records (e.g. descriptions of theitems associated with the unique identifiers, provenance or chain ofownership transactions associated with pairs of public keys and uniqueidentifiers) hardened against tampering and revision. In someembodiments, the registry 106 consists of data structure blocks whichhold exclusively data (e.g. public keys, ownership data, itemidentification data) with each block holding batches of individualtransactions and the results of any blockchain executables.Alternatively, the blocks are able to store both data and programs. Eachblock of the blockchain contains a timestamp and information linking itto a previous block thereby defining the chain and maintaining achronological order of each of the records/transactions. Thus, theregistry 106 provides the advantages of, unlike private third partydatabases which are controlled by the third party and often requirepermission for data access, the data (e.g. chain of ownershipinformation, other information related to the item associated with theunique identifier) of the open registry 106 is able to beself-controlled (based on the transaction rules inherent to thedatabase) and publically accessible/viewable without any privilegedpermissions required. Alternatively, the open registry 106 is able to bea non-blockchain database.

The registry data is able to comprise pairs of public keys and itemunique identifiers uploaded by registrants or other owners ofkeys/items. The registrants are able to be manufacturers,authenticators, owners and/or other entities associated with the item102. The registry data is also able to comprise item information such asnetwork accessible locations (e.g. websites, cloud servers) or linksthereto. This item information is able to be associated with one or moreof the pairs and optionally made accessible or not accessible to thepublic. Additionally, unlike other databases, the registry 106 is ableto enable the upload or creation of new entries of pairs of itemidentifiers and public keys (e.g. as registered by a registrant thatjust manufactured the items 102 associated with the identifiers) withoutalso associating data with the pairs that identifies the source of thepairs. In other words, if desired, the registry 106 protects registrantsfrom competitors being able to access the registry 106 and determine thequantity of a new product/item rollout or release based on the number ofpairs by shielding the source of the pairs from public view. In someembodiments, the shielding is in the form of preventing public access toassociated source data. Alternatively, the shielding is able to be inthe form of enabling the registration of new pairs without any sourceinformation such that even if all the data was publicly accessible theregistry 106 does not include any source information (that is associatedwith the pairs) to be accessed. Alternatively, the registry 106 isprovides the registrants the option to include the source informationsuch that the source information is publically associated with the newpairs.

Also, as described above, the item information data uploaded by aregistrant onto the registry 106 along with the pairs is able tocomprise one or more links to or addresses of network accessiblelocations (e.g. uniform resource identifiers), wherein the locations(e.g. a cloud, website) include information about the items. In suchembodiments, when one of the devices 104 scan/read one or more of thetags 103 on one or more of the items 102, the application 107 on thedevice 104 is able to communicate the public key and/or the uniqueidentifier of the scanned tags 103 to the registry 106 in order toretrieve the associated network accessible location(s). In someembodiments, this access is a part of a proof of proximity process asdescribed below. As a result, the registrants are able to limit accessto the locations unless a device 104 is able to prove that it is inproximity to the item 102 as well as help provide the source shieldingdescribed above. Alternatively or in addition, the item information andassociated public keys and/or unique identifiers are uploaded to theservers 108 and/or devices 104 during a registration process asdescribed in detail below.

The application 107 is able to comprise an authentication module, aproximity module and a description module, wherein the application 107and the modules use the application database to store, maintain andaccess data necessary for the operation of the application 107. Theauthentication module is able to automatically perform theauthentication process described below when a device 104 reads one ofthe tags 103 coupled to an item 102. Similarly, the description moduleis able to provide an item description on the device 104 also uponreading one of the tags 103. In particular, the description module isable to access the item information stored on the device 104 and/or theservers 108 as described above.

Additionally, in some embodiments the application is able to comprise alogin and registration module and a payment module, wherein theapplication user interface is configured to enable users to utilize theapplication modules. The login and registration module enables a user tocreate a user profile/account by inputting username and passwordinformation via the graphical user interface that is then associatedwith the account such that the information is able to be used toidentify the user when logging onto the application. Alternatively, thelogin information is able to be omitted and a user is able to use theapplication without creating a user account or logging in. After a useraccount is created, the user is able to access the account by enteringthe username and password in order to identify themselves to theapplication. In some embodiments, during the creation of the account orsubsequently, additional information is able to be stored and associatedwith the account such as, but not limited to, contact information (e.g.phone number, email, address), submitted content (e.g. item images,descriptions), account privileges/subscription information (e.g.unlocked application features), friends or other trusted accounts on thesystem and payment information. In some embodiments, the additionalinformation is submitted by a user upon logging into the account.Alternatively, some or all of the additional information is able to beapplied to the account automatically by the application based oninteractions by the user with the application.

FIG. 3 illustrates an item authentication method using the system 100according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit 206 ofthe tag 103 on an item 102 wirelessly broadcasts the unique identifierstored on the tag 103 over the air at the step 302. Alternatively, thecircuit 206 is able to only broadcast after being interrogated by areader (e.g. the application 107 of a device 104). The application 107of a device 104 in proximity of the tag 103 discovers the tag 103 andthe unique identifier of the tag 103 at the step 304. In someembodiments, the application 107 provides an authentication option ofthe authentication module to a user on the device 104 andautomatically/continuously monitors for tags 103 (and/or the associatedidentifiers) to discover when the authentication option is selected.Alternatively, the application 107 is able to automatically monitor fortags 103 (and/or identifiers) and displays the authentication option ofthe authentication module on the device 104 when a tag 103 (and/oridentifier) is discovered. In such embodiments, the application 107 isable to await selection of the authentication option before proceedingwith the remainder of the method steps. After receiving the uniqueidentifier, the application 107 on the device 103 transmits the uniqueidentifier to the open registry 106 over the network 110 at the step306. Upon receiving the unique identifier, the open registry 106retrieves the stored public key paired to the unique identifier thatmatches the received unique identifier and transmits the public key tothe device 104 over the network 110 at the step 308. Additionally, insome embodiments the registry 106 is able to transmit the chain ofownership or other item related data (e.g. the current owner) associatedwith the unique identifier to the device 104. If no pairs match thereceived unique identifier, the authentication fails and the registry106 instead sends a failure message to the device 104 which thenindicates the failure on the device 104 to the user via the application107.

After or concurrently with steps 306 and 306, the application 107 on thedevice 104 generates and transmits a challenge message (e.g. a randomdata set, a data set received from the registry 106) to the tag 103 atthe step 310. Upon receiving the challenge message, the circuit 206 ofthe tag 103 digitally signs the challenge message using the private keystored on the tag 103 and transmits the signed challenge (e.g. thedigital signature and the challenge message) to the device 104 via thereader 105 at the step 312. In some embodiments, the digital signatureis a hash of the challenge message using the private key. Alternatively,the digital signature is able to be other modulations of and/oroperations performed on the message using the private key.

The application 107 determines if the message of the signed challengematches the original challenge message at the step 314. If the messagesdo not match, the authentication fails and the application 107 indicatesthe failure to a user on the device 104. If the messages match, theapplication 107 determines if the digital signature from the tag 103 isvalid using the public key received from the registry 106 at the step316. In some embodiments, determining if the digital signature if validcomprises generating a public signature using the public key and thechallenge message and determining if it matches or corresponds to thedigital signature. Alternatively, other signature validation methods areable to be used based on the public key and the challenge message.Alternatively, the open registry 106 is able to perform some or all ofthe signature validation. Specifically, the open registry 106 is able toreceive the challenge message from the device 104 and generate and sendto a public signature based on the public key and the challenge messageto the application 107. In such embodiments, the application 107 onlyneeds to determine if the public signature matches or corresponds to thedigital signature from the tag 103 in order to determine if the digitalsignature if valid. Alternatively, the application 107 is able tofurther forward the signed message (e.g. the digital signature and thechallenge message) received from the tag 103 to the registry 106 suchthat all the validation is performed by the registry 106 which thenindicates to the device 104 whether the authentication was a success.

If the digital signature is not verified or validated using the publickey, the authentication fails and the application 107 indicates thefailure to a user on the device 104. If the digital signature isverified/validated, the authentication succeeds and the application 107indicates the success to the user on the device 104 at the step 318. Asa result, the method provides the advantage of enabling a user toauthenticate that the item 102 is genuine and/or the current owner ofthe item 102. In some embodiments, indicating the success to the user onthe device 104 comprises presenting the chain of ownership informationand/or the item information (e.g. stored on the device 104, the servers108 or both) corresponding to the item 102 to the user on the device 104using the description module. In such embodiments, the presenting of theitem information is able to comprise the automatic navigation to anetwork accessible address of the item information (e.g. via theapplication 107 or a web browser) and/or the presentation of a link tothe network accessible address to a user. In some embodiments, themethod further comprises obtaining proof of ownership data from a userand authenticating the proof of ownership data based on the recordsand/or protocols of the registry 106 in order to authenticate theownership. In such embodiments, the application 107 is able to indicatesuccessful authentication of ownership to the user on the device 104. Insome embodiments, the authentication method is used by IOT devices andautonomous machines to recognize objects and execute their programmedbehavior accordingly. In some embodiments, the authentication method isused by IOT devices and autonomous machines to recognize other IOTdevices and machines and engage them accordingly to their programs,including performing a task and establishing a connection/communication.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of presenting item information according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit 206 of the tag 103 onan item 102 wirelessly broadcasts the unique identifier stored on thetag 103 over the air at the step 402. Alternatively, the circuit 206 isable to only broadcast after being interrogated by a reader (e.g. theapplication 107 of a device 104). The application 107 of a device 104 inproximity of the tag 103 discovers the tag 103 and the unique identifierof the tag 103 at the step 404. In some embodiments, the application 107provides an authentication option of the authentication module to a useron the device 104 and automatically/continuously monitors for tags 103(and/or the associated identifiers) to discover when the authenticationoption is selected. Alternatively, the application 107 is able toautomatically monitor for tags 103 (and/or identifiers) and displays theauthentication option of the authentication module on the device 104when a tag 103 (and/or identifier) is discovered. In such embodiments,the application 107 is able to await selection of the authenticationoption before proceeding with the remainder of the method steps. Afterreceiving the unique identifier, the application 107 on the device 103accesses the item information (on the device 104 and/or the servers 108)and/or chain of ownership information associated with the receivedunique identifier and presents the chain of ownership information and/orthe item information to the user on the device 104 using the descriptionmodule at the step 406. In some embodiments, the presenting of the iteminformation is able to comprise the automatic navigation to a networkaccessible address of the item information (e.g. via the application 107or a web browser) and/or the presentation of a link to the networkaccessible address to a user on the device 104. Alternatively or inaddition, the presenting of the item information is able to compriseaccessing the item information associated with the unique identifier onthe servers 108, locally on the device 104 and/or on the open registry106 over the network 110. As a result, the method provides the advantageof enabling a user to quickly find authenticated information about anitem and/or be forwarded to a location (e.g. website) with informationabout the item.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of registering items 102 on the registry 106according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, a registrant uploadsone or more pairs of public keys and item unique identifiers to the openregistry 106 over the network 110 at the step 502. The public keyscorrespond to the private keys stored in the tags 103 along with theitem unique identifiers to which the public keys are paired. Theregistry 106 provides the registrant with an option to make the source(e.g. the registrant or owner) of the pairs private or publicallyaccessible at the step 504. If the private option is selected, theregistry 106 does not store any information associated with the pairsindicating the source of the pairs at the step 506. If the public optionis selected, information indicating the source of the pairs is storedalong with the data associated with the pairs (e.g. optional chain ofownership data, other item information data) at the step 508.

The registry 106 enables the registrant to associate a networkaccessible location (e.g. cloud server, website) with one or more of thepairs at the step 510. In some embodiments, the network accessiblelocation requires proof of proximity, as described below, beforeenabling access to digital content and/or executing services or programsrelated to the pairs provided by the network accessible location. Thus,the registration method provides the advantage of enabling owners orregistrants to remain anonymous if desired and/or to restrict access toa network accessible location associated with the items 102 (associatedwith the uploaded pairs) unless a proof of proximity or authenticationprocess is completed. Thus, the method enables the registrants toprotect themselves from competitive product size release determinationwhile still utilizing an open registry 106.

FIG. 6 illustrates a proof of proximity method according to someembodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, the circuit 206 of the tag 103 on anitem 102 wirelessly broadcasts the unique identifier stored on the tag103 over the air at the step 602. Alternatively, the circuit 206 is ableto only broadcast after being interrogated by a reader (e.g. theapplication 107 of a device 104). The application 107 of a device 104 inproximity of the tag 103 discovers the tag 103 and the unique identifierof the tag 103 at the step 604. In some embodiments, the application 107provides a proof of proximity option of the proof of proximity module toa user on the device 104 and automatically/continuously monitors fortags 103 (and/or the associated identifiers) to discover when the proofof proximity option is selected. Alternatively, the application 107 isable to automatically monitor for tags 103 (and/or identifiers) anddisplays the proof of proximity option of the proof of proximity moduleon the device 104 when a tag 103 (and/or identifier) is discovered. Insuch embodiments, the application 107 is able to await selection of theproof of proximity option before proceeding with the remainder of themethod steps. In some embodiments, the proof of proximity andauthentication options are able to be presented simultaneously and/orconcurrently by the application 107 such that a user is able to selectwhether they want to perform an authentication method, proximity method,or both on the discovered tag 103.

After receiving the unique identifier, the application 107 accesses theopen registry 106 and uses the unique identifier to retrieves theassociated network accessible location stored on the registry 106 at thestep 606. Additionally, in some embodiments the application 107 is ableto concurrently access the other data (e.g. chain of ownership and/orother item information data) associated with the unique identifier onthe registry 106. If no pairs match the received unique identifier, theproof of proximity fails and the device 104 indicates the failure on thedevice 104 to the user via the application 107. Alternatively, if thenetwork accessible location and associated unique identifier is storedon the servers 108 and/or the device 104, the application 107 on thedevice 104 is able to omit the communication with the registry 106 andinstead obtain the network accessible location associated with theunique identifier locally or in the same manner from the servers 108.

The application 107 requests access to the network accessible locationand/or the services provided at the location at the step 608. In someembodiments, the services comprise one or more of digital content, rawdata, execution of a program or other services related to the uniqueidentifier (and/or the item 102 coupled to the tag 103). The networkaccessible location (e.g. cloud server, website server) generates andtransmits a proximity challenge message to the application 107 on thedevice 104 in response to the access request at the step 610. In someembodiments, the proximity challenge message is able to be similar tothe authentication challenge message described above. For example, theproximity challenge message is able to be a random string, the uniqueidentifier or other data sets. Upon receiving the proximity challengemessage, application 107 on the device 104 forwards the message to thecircuit 206 of the tag 103, which digitally signs the challenge messageusing the private key stored on the tag 103 at the step 612. The circuit206 then transmits the signed proximity challenge (e.g. the digitalsignature and the challenge message) to the device 104 via the reader105 which then forwards it to the network accessible location via thenetwork 110 at the step 614. In some embodiments, the digital signatureis a hash of the challenge message using the private key. Alternatively,the digital signature is able to be other modulations of or operation onthe message using the private key.

The network accessible location determines if the signed proximitychallenge message is valid using the public key at the step 618. In someembodiments, the network accessible location locally stores a copy ofthe public key paired with the unique identifier. Alternatively, thelocation is able to request/receive the public key from the registry106, the servers 108, the device 104 or a combination thereof. Theverification of the signed challenge is able to be performed in the samemanner as the verification of the signed authentication messagedescribed above in the item authentication method. Specifically, thenetwork accessible location is able to determine validity if both thesigned challenge matches the original proximity challenge message andthe submitted signature validates against the public key associated withthe private key of the tag 103. If the verification fails (e.g. due tothe messages not matching and/or due to the signature being incorrect),the proof of proximity fails and the location sends a failure message tothe application 107 which indicates the failure to a user on the device104 at the step 618. If the digital signature is verified/validated, theproof of proximity succeeds such that the location provides thedevice/application 104/107 access to the services provided by thelocation at the step 620. The application 107 is then able to providethe user with access to the services via the device 104. As a result,the method provides the advantage of enabling registrants to require aproof of proximity before providing access to item related informationand/or features from a network accessible location. Indeed, this alsoserves to help ensure the anonymity of the registry 106 as the itemrelated information (which likely indicates the source/registrant of theitem 102) is able to be separate from the data on the open registry 106(such that it is shielded from the public).

In some embodiments, the network accessible location is able to restrictaccess based on the proof of proximity method combined with otherprotocols (e.g. developer tokens, user authentication) such that bothmust be satisfied for access to be granted. In some embodiments, thenetwork accessible location is a smart contract operating on ablockchain database (e.g. the registry 106). In some embodiments, theproviding access to the content/features of the location is able tocomprise the automatic navigation to the network accessible address bythe device 104 (e.g. via the application 107 or a web browser) and/orthe presentation of a link to the network accessible address on thedevice/application 104/107 to a user. In some embodiments, theapplication 107 on the device 104 and/or the servers 108 are able toperform the verification of the signed proximity challenge message. Insuch embodiments, if performed on the device 104 the signed message doesnot need to be forwarded and instead the public key isrequested/received from the registry 106 and/or the network accessiblelocation to perform the verification. Similarly, if performed by theservers 108 (e.g. by the agent/application 107 on the servers 108), thesigned message is forwarded to the servers 108 which either currentlystore or request/receive the public key from the registry 106 and/or thenetwork accessible location to perform the verification. The networkaccessible location described herein is able to refer to the addressitself and/or the computers/servers operating the website and/or otherservices provided at the network accessible location.

FIG. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary computing device 700configured to implement the system 100 according to some embodiments. Inaddition to the features described above, the computing devices 104and/or servers 108 are able to be substantially similar to the device700. In general, a hardware structure suitable for implementing thecomputing device 700 includes a network interface 702, a memory 704, aprocessor 706, I/O device(s) 708 (e.g. reader 105), a bus 710 and astorage device 712. Alternatively, one or more of the illustratedcomponents are able to be removed or substituted for other componentswell known in the art. The choice of processor is not critical as longas a suitable processor with sufficient speed is chosen. The memory 704is able to be any conventional computer memory known in the art. Thestorage device 712 is able to include a hard drive, CDROM, CDRW, DVD,DVDRW, flash memory card or any other storage device. The computingdevice 700 is able to include one or more network interfaces 702. Anexample of a network interface includes a network card connected to anEthernet or other type of LAN. The I/O device(s) 708 are able to includeone or more of the following: keyboard, mouse, monitor, display,printer, modem, touchscreen, button interface and other devices.Authentication system application 107 or module(s) thereof are likely tobe stored in the storage device 712 and memory 704 and processed asapplications are typically processed. More or fewer components shown inFIG. 7 are able to be included in the computing device 700. In someembodiments, authentication system hardware 720 is included. Althoughthe computing device 700 in FIG. 7 includes applications 730 andhardware 720 for the authentication system, the authentication system isable to be implemented on a computing device in hardware, firmware,software or any combination thereof.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding ofprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will bereadily apparent to one skilled in the art that other variousmodifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustrationwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An item open registry and identity verificationsystem comprising: a network accessible location; one or more physicalitems each having an identity tag coupled to the item, the identity tagseach having a memory storing a private key and a unique identifier; amobile device including a reader, a processor and a memory storing anapplication, wherein the reader wirelessly reads the unique identifierfrom one or more of the identity tags when proximate to the one or moreof the tags and the processor executes the application to authenticatethe physical items by, upon reading the unique identifier of theidentity tag of one of the items: generating and transmitting achallenge message to the identity tag; transmitting the uniqueidentifier to an open registry and accessing a public key associatedwith the unique identifier from the registry; receiving a digitalsignature from the identity tag; and authenticating the item bydetermining if the digital signature was generated by the private keystored in the identity tag using the accessed public key; and the openregistry storing the unique identifier, item information, a networkaccessible location identifier and a public key of each of the items,wherein the public key is associated with the private key stored on theidentity tag coupled to the item, wherein the open registry is ablockchain and, upon authentication of one of the items by theapplication of the mobile device, the processor of the mobile deviceautomatically accesses and presents the network accessible location to auser on the mobile device, and further wherein the network accessiblelocation is a website that cannot be accessed until the item has beenauthenticated, wherein the website is related to the item and includesinformation about the item.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the openregistry records the item information including a history ofcustodianship that comprises multiple proof of custody events for asingle custodian and a sequence of custodial transactions between pairsof custodians that transferred custody of the item between the pairs. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the open registry enables each of aplurality of entities to upload one or more of the public keys and theunique identifiers to the registry without uploading identifying dataand the open registry does not present data indicating which of theentities uploaded the public keys or the unique identifiers.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the open registry enables each of theentities to upload and associate the network accessible location with atleast one of the one or more of the public keys and the uniqueidentifiers having a characteristic of being uploaded by the entity tothe registry.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein upon receiving thechallenge message the identity tag: digitally signs the challengemessage by generating the digital signature based on the private keystored in the identity tag; and transmits the digital signature to themobile device.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein upon receiving theunique identifier the registry: retrieves from the registry one of thepublic keys stored on the registry that is associated with the uniqueidentifier; and transmits the one of the public keys to the mobiledevice.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the tag includes a tamperprooffastener physically coupled with a wireless signalreceiving/transmitting circuit enveloped by a single contiguous plasticshell.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the tag includes a wirelesssignal receiving/transmitting circuit stitched within a label of theitem.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the tag includes an identity ofthings (IoT) device in the form of a circuitry board, microchip,firmware or software.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobiledevice is one of the group comprising a mobile phone, and an identity ofthings (IoT) device.
 11. The system of claim 4, wherein the challengemessage comprises a random string of bytes.
 12. An item open registryand identity verification system comprising: a network accessiblelocation; one or more items each having an identity tag coupled to theitem, the identity tags each having a memory storing a private key and aunique identifier; a reader device including a wireless reader, aprocessor and a memory storing an application, wherein the readerwirelessly reads the unique identifier from one or more of the identitytags when proximate to the one or more of the tags and the processorexecutes the application to authenticate the physical items by, uponreading the unique identifier of the identity tag of one of the items:generating and transmitting a challenge message to the identity tag;transmitting the unique identifier to an open registry and accessing apublic key associated with the unique identifier from the registry;receiving a digital signature from the identity tag; and authenticatingthe item by determining if the digital signature was generated by theprivate key stored in the identity tag using the accessed public key;and the open registry storing the unique identifier, item informationand a public key of each of the items, wherein the public key isassociated with the private key stored on the identity tag coupled tothe item, wherein the open registry is a blockchain including a historyof custodianship of the items and, upon authentication of one of theitems by the application of the reader device, the processor of readerdevice automatically accesses and presents the network accessiblelocation and the history of custodianship of the item to a user on themobile device, and further wherein the network accessible location is awebsite that cannot be accessed until the item has been authenticated,wherein the website is related to the item and includes informationabout the item, and further wherein the open registry stores the historyof custodianship on the blockchain by adding a timestamp and custodydata of the one of the items.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein thereader device is one of the group comprising a mobile phone, and anidentity of things (IoT) device.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein theopen registry records item information including the history ofcustodianship that comprises multiple proof of custody events for asingle custodian and a sequence of custodial transactions between pairsof custodians that transferred custody of the item between the pairs.15. The system of claim 12, wherein the open registry enables each of aplurality of entities to upload one or more of the public keys and theunique identifiers to the registry without uploading identifying dataand the open registry does not present data indicating which of theentities uploaded the public keys or the unique identifiers.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the open registry enables each of theentities to upload and associate the network accessible location with atleast one of the one or more of the public keys and the uniqueidentifiers having a characteristic of being uploaded by the entity tothe registry.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the challenge messagecomprises a random string of bytes.
 18. The system of claim 16, whereinupon receiving the challenge message the identity tag: digitally signsthe challenge message by generating the digital signature based on theprivate key stored in the identity tag; and transmits the digitalsignature to the reader device.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein uponreceiving the unique identifier the registry: retrieves from theregistry one of the public keys stored on the registry that isassociated with the unique identifier; and transmits the one of thepublic keys to the reader device.
 20. The system of claim 12, whereinthe tag includes a tamperproof fastener physically coupled with awireless signal receiving/transmitting circuit enveloped by a singlecontiguous plastic shell.
 21. The system of claim 12, wherein the tagincludes a wireless signal receiving/transmitting circuit stitchedwithin a label of the item.
 22. The system of claim 12, wherein the tagis includes an identity of things (IoT) device in the form of acircuitry board, microchip, firmware or software.
 23. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the open registry further comprises a smart contract,an application server or a database.